Employer

1. What can VT Training do for my Business?

Improve the performance of your business - with an apprenticeship your staff will have the skills and knowledge to do the job better.

Motivate your staff - recruiting and retaining able young people is easier if you offer apprenticeships. Young people who are keen to learn will be motivated by their training and will connect their learning and development with your business.

Provide relevant training specific to your business - apprenticeships are specifically designed by businesses in your sector for businesses like yours. The apprentices will be learning skills relevant to your business and the apprenticeships have been designed by people who really understand the needs of your business.

Invest in your business's future - by training your young staff via apprenticeships you can ensure that you have the specialist skills you require for your business now and into the future.

2. What is an Apprenticeship?

It is a work-based training programme for 16 -24 year-olds (funding may differ locally) that helps your employee to earn in a real job for a real qualification at the end of it. As well as teaching a trade, it teaches general law and skills needed by your employee to aid your business. Apprenticeships are designed to develop individuals, improve their knowledge, understanding and competence in a specific occupational area. They allow training to be tailored to suit business and individual needs through a range of components.

3. What is an National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)?

It is a work-based qualification that gives your employee a chance to learn a trade, and be paid at the same time. An NVQ / National Vocational Qualification allows learning in a real working environment. NVQs are available at different levels to suit individual needs, requirements and roles. An NVQ forms part of an Apprenticeship.

4. What is involved with an Apprenticeship / NVQ Programme?

Two routes are available: apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship. Each features four vital components to develop individuals.

The four components are:

An NVQ is chosen to suit each job role, responsibilities and career progression either at Level 2 or 3 respectively. It is specific to your employee's current role.
Key skills are part of a government initiative to raise skill levels in up to six areas (depending on the route chosen) - Portfolio and multiple choice tests are completed on site to ensure that both performance and knowledge standards are met at the necessary level. -Learners cover standards through project work associated with your business to the ultimate benefit for both parties.
Essential Knowledge - During the initial stages the focus is on employment rights and responsibilities (ERR) to cover legislation and statutory information affecting learners, career progression and equal opportunities.
Technical Certificates are chosen to suit each learner's job role and career progression. This off-job training enhances an employee's knowledge and competence in a chosen field and is assessed by the appropriate industry body.

5. What are the benefits to your business?

A cost-effective way of gaining qualified staff.
Improved client and customer satisfaction.
Trained and competent employees who can contribute to your success.
Hassle-free VT Training managed programmes.
Motivated and qualified workforce.
Aids the recruitment process.
Helps you maintain your competitive edge.

6. How does a learner start?

VT Training offers a comprehensive training programme featuring the following stages to ensure that training is worthwhile.

Learner completes a comprehensive induction to include initial assessment and basic skills assessments to evaluate individual needs and recognise support required. All relevant documentation is fully completed with the learner and key contact to authorise and access funding.

Managed training starts with a Structured Learning Plan to identify timescales and expected achievement dates for each component delivered in the Apprenticeship. This pathway allows early achievement of certain components to encourage and motivate individuals.

Through agreed reviews training and support will be delivered by our vocational coaches who are qualified and knowledgeable of their sectors. Assessments are carried out with minimal disturbance to the workplace, each visit will involve completion of an assessment review and follow-up plan for the next visit.

Technical certificates tests are planned in advance and are usually held at the local VT Training office. Key skills tests are held on-site for convenience. These are hour-long multiple choice tests to accompany the learner's portfolio. A maximum of three key skill areas are covered in the tests. All certificates are presented by vocational coaches and, where possible, we will co-operate with the employer's key contact to organise an achievement presentation to newly qualified employees.

7. What commitment can my business expect from VT Training?

We will:

Plan training so that learners achieve their apprenticeship within 12 months
Communicate with you at every stage
Maintain high standards in each individual's training and development
Set-up each learner's training plan, monitor progress and achievements
Supply structured training and personal support throughout

8. What commitment is required from me and my business?

Meet legal requirements in terms of health and safety, equal opportunities and working time directive
Appoint a key contact for the learner
Make sure enough time and resources are available to your learners
Actively promote the value of apprenticeships within your organisation
The mentor should meet, on a regular basis, with the learner and vocational coach to review progress

9. What happens next?

We visit a potential candidate and employer
We explain what their Apprenticeship will involve
After a comprehensive induction and with the support of the employer we will then sign up the learner to a programme.
An individual learning plan is agreed within a structured pathway
The learner receives regular visits from their vocational coach who will help them along the pathway to their qualification
The vocational coach will keep the employer informed at all stages

10. What types of qualification are available?

Please see our ‘Qualification’ link on our website or contact us for more information.

11. What support is available?

There will be a vocational coach assigned to your employee and he / she is readily available to assist with any enquiries via site visits, telephone and email.

12. What will it cost?

We access funding on your behalf from the government for 16 - 24 year olds (funding may differ locally). We are also happy to discuss commercial prices for candidates over the age of 24.

13. What happens with our existing in-house training programmes?

We can map your training programmes into nationally recognised qualifications.

14. How will the programmes match our business needs?

We will adapt the programme to your business requirement in order to maximise employee learning.

15. How much time will the learner need with their coach and to complete exams during working hours?

All assessment is planned and approved by the employer's key contact to avoid disrupting normal business.

The following are approximate timings:

Initial assessment:	1 hour of the employee's time
Induction:	1.5 hours of the employee's time (may vary locally)
Key Skills:	Three one-hour tests and one-to-one meetings
NVQ	Attained by observing employee at work
ERR:	Studied in the learner's own time

16. What is a vocational coach?

All VT Training vocational coaches are qualified to D32/33 or A1/A2 levels. They mentor each learner, gathering evidence and making observations about the learner's progress. Coaches only assess NVQs that match their own personal occupational competence and personal experience, which they have gained at a supervisory level or above.

17. What industry experience do VT Training vocational coaches have?

All our vocational coaches have first-hand knowledge of their particular industry having worked in various disciplines in that sector over many years.